Flexible massage device.



PATENTED AUG. 13, 1907.

S. F. BOWSER.

F Ma

SYLVANUS F. BOWSER, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

FLEXIBLE MASSAGE DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 13, 1907.

Application and August 91, 190i. Serial No. 222,735.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SYLVANUS F. BOWSER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Wayne, in the county of Allen and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Flexible Massage Device, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to flexible massage devices.

The object of the invention is to provide a massage device which is simple, inexpensive and efficient, and which possesses flexibility adapting it toreadily'conform to the contour of the body when applied for use.

A further object of the invention is to pro'vide a massage device presenting a roller rubbing surface having flexibility, and which may be readily applied to the surface of any desired portion of the body.

Other objects of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter.

The invention consists substantially in the construc- I tion, combination, location, and relative arrangement of parts. all as will be more fully hereinafter set forth;

as shown in the accompanying drawing, and finally pointed out in the appended'claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, and to the various views and reference signs appearing thereon,- Figure 1 is aview in plan of a flexible massage device embodying the principles of my invention, parts being in section. Fig. 2 is a 'sidefele v'ation of the device, shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view similar'to 2, showing a modified form of device embraced within the spirit and scope of m'yinvention.

. The same part is designated by the same reference though included within the broad andgener-ic claims of said application.

It is the special purpose of the present invention to provide a massage device embodying a plurality of inelastic, non-yielding rubbing devices or rollers so afranged and juxtaposited as toform a rubbing surface, and wherein the rubbing devices are so mounted and connected together as to form a flexible massage device capable of readily conforming tothe contour of the body, ,orany portion thereof.

In carrying out my invention, 1 provide s. plurality of inelastic rollers A, preferably cylindrical in form, .thoughldo not desire to ee -limited or restricted in this respect. Each roller is mounted upon or carried by a pinB, the ends of the pins projecting beyond the ends of the rollers A.

Reference sign G designates links. These links are arranged in pairs, and serve not only to receive and form journal bearings for the projecting ends of the pins B, but also as pivotal connections between adjacent pins B. Thus each pair of links are strung over and form journal bearings for the ends of the supporting pins B of each adjacent pair of rollers A. In this mannor the projecting ends of each roller pin B is received through the overlapping ends of links C which pivotally connect said pin to-the two adjacent pinslying on opposite sides thereof, as clearly shown in the drawing, thereby forming a flexible device which will readily'conform, to the contour of any portion of the body. To the ends of the pins of the extreme end rollers of the device, I pivotally connect the forked arms I) of handles or grips E, bywhich the device may be manipulated or applied. In practice, I propose to mount rounded. or semi-spherical end pieces F on the extreme projecting ends oi the pins B.

In Fig. 3, I have shown a modified form of flexible massage device embraced withinthe spirit and scope of my invention, wherein, instead of attaching a loandle or'grip at each end of the device, I connect one end of a cross or handle piece to the roller or roller pin at one end of the device, and the other end of said cross piece or handle I connect to the roller or roller pin at the other end of the-device, and, if desired, I provide said cross piece 'or handle G with a hand grip to facilitate the application of the device in use, the series of rollers being pivotally connected and forming a flexible roller rubbing surface in the same manner as above described with reference to the construction shown in Figs. l

and 2.

In the foregoing description I have referred to the parts A as forming a roller rubbing surface. I do not desire, however, to be limited to the use of rotatable devices in this connection. I

If desired, the pieces or blocks K may be rounded on the outer surface thereof, as shown, and they constitute a rubbing surface which is flexible and capable of being 'readily applied to the surface of the body at any point, and to conform to the contour of the body.

In operation the device is applied to the surface of the body at the point to be massaged, the flexibility of the device permitting it to readily conform to the contour of the body at any desired point. By briskly rubbing the'device over the surface to be treated, in a di rection transverse to, the'length of the rollers, the lat ter freely rotating axially, the surface is thoroughly massaged by the friction of the roller rubbing-surface presented by the'device, while at the same time the successive contacts of the rollers against the surface to be massaged produces a pounding action, which enhances the beneficial effects of the massage treatment.

It will be observed that anyone can use the devic thereby avoiding the expense incident to massage treatments by professional masseurs, while at the same time securing more eflicient and advantageous results.

It will also be seen that the pressure exerted by the device upon the surface being treated may be readily regulated and varied according to the desires of the individual; and the devicemay. be readily shifted from one position to another so as to cover any desired area of surface of the body.

A device embodyingthe principles of my invention, while inexpensive and efficient, may be advantageously used in the treatment of many different ailments, such as head-ache, rheumatism, sciatica, lumbago sluggish blood, torpid liver, obesity, and the like.

Having now set forththe object and nature of my invention, and various constructions embodying the prin-J ciples thereof, what I claim as new and useful and of my own invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A massage device including a plurality of inelastic rollers having rounded end pieces and arranged in juxtaposition to form a roller rubbing surface, and pivotal connections between adjacent rollers, whereby said rubbing surface is flexible. i

2. In a massage device, a series of pins, links pivotally connecting said pins, and inelastic rollers mounted on said pins and rounded end pieces'connected to the ends of said pins.

,3. In a massage device a plurality of pins arranged in parallel relation, inelastic rollers carried by said pins, the ends of the pins projecting beyond the ends of the rollers. rounded end pieces carried by said projecting ends and links pivotally connecting adjacent pins. i

'4. In a massage device, a plurality of rollers, said' rollers being provided with a journal intermediate their ends, and links pivotally connecting the journals of the adjacent rollers, the body portion of said rollers being of substantially the same diameter on each, side of the journal. i

5. In a massage device, aplurality of rollers, each of which is provided with a plurality of journals intermediate its ends, links pivotully connecting the journals of the adjacent rollers, and handles pivotally connected to the extremity ofjhe end links, the diameter of said rollers being substantially the same on each side of the journal. In witnesswhereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 26th day of August 1904, ipthe presence of the subscriblng witnesses.

sY-nvANU-s l1. nowsnn. Witnesses: I

E. C, Sauna, S. E..Dumr. 

